Property lawyers may specialise in certain types of real estate, such as agricultural land, commercial buildings or regeneration projects. However, deals will usually take the same form, either as a standard purchase or starting with the purchase of land and an application for planning permission, culminating in the sale or letting of the completed building.
Property law can entail a lot of drafting and negotiating of standard leases and contracts. The role of a property lawyer can also change depending on the clients they act for. Developers tend to have a more dynamic approach, preferring deals to be completed efficiently, while financiers may spend more time examining the finer details.
Property lawyers are expected to work long hours at times when a deal must be completed. Real estate tends to be a cooperative, friendly sector, with all of the parties involved in a deal (clients, builders, banks etc) working towards the same aim – for the deal to be completed. Real estate lawyers must be organised, proactive and aware of the minutest details.
